Online sports betting in Pennsylvania has been legal since 2019. Actually, PA was one of the first US states to legalize it. Fast forward to today–there are currently 11 sportsbooks in the Keystone State.
In this guide, I will go through all of Pennsylvania’s legal sports betting sites and apps in detail, so you can choose which ones suit you best. We’ll talk about how each one stands out from the rest, including which of the best sportsbook promos and bonuses you’ll want to claim, if you decide to sign up for any.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Best Sign Up Bonus | BetMGM |
| 📈 Most Competitive Odds | FanDuel |
| 🏈 Biggest Choice of Markets | DraftKings |
| 🤝 Best Loyalty Promos | Fanatics |
| 🎯 Best Same Game Parlays | BetMGM |
| 🆕 Newest Sportsbook | Bet365 |
| 📱 Best Mobile App | Caesars Sportsbook |
| ⏳ Best for Live Betting | Bet365 |
| 💳 Most Trusted Payments | FanDuel |
| 💬 Best Support | BetRivers |
Sports betting in the US has had an interesting history. Federal and state laws have changed quite a bit over the last few decades to get to where we are today to bet online. To help make it easier for you, I’ve created a timeline of how the sports betting landscape has changed in Pennsylvania over the years.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act passes in 1992.
PAPSA was a federal law that banned sports betting across the majority of states in the country. It’s goal was to maintain integrity in American sports by prohibiting states from authorizing and licensing sports betting. It was illegal not only to operate any sports betting services, but also to advertise for them.
With rumors of PASPA being overturned, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signs HB 271 into law.
This law created provisions for legalizing sports betting in Pennsylvania if the Supreme Court overturns PASPA.
2018 marks a big step towards legalization of online sports betting in Pennsylvania.
The US Supreme Court decides that PAPSA is unconstitutional, so it overturns it. Each state can now decide for themselves whether they would allow sports betting.
After the news of the law being overturned, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) creates regulations to help legalize sports betting in the state.
Shortly after Pennsylvania legalizes sports betting, the first retail sportsbook in Pennsylvania opens at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.
SugarHouse Casino becomes the first of online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania sports betting landscape undergoes some changes for the first time in awhile.
FOX Bet ceases operations, and PENN Entertainment announces plans to rebrand their Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN BET in the coming months.
After much anticipation in the previous months, the new ESPN BET sportsbook officially launches in Pennsylvania, while the Barstool Sportsbook officially stops operations.
Fanatics Sportsbook fully acquires PointsBet.
Several sportsbooks continue to struggle to gain market share.
Betway and Unibet become the latest Pennsylvania sportsbooks to shut down, both in the state and across the country.
Meanwhile, bet365 officially launches their sportsbook in Pennsylvania.
Next, I’m going to give you a list of all sportsbooks in PA, so you can see what options you have in. Since online sports betting was legalized here, many have entered the market and some have left.
Here’s a full updated list of all online betting sites in the Keystone State to know which ones are active and which ones are not.
After years of speculation, bet365 became available in Pennsylvania in July 2024. bet365 is one of the world’s leading online betting sites because of their massive amount of sports markets and their extensive live betting platform. Sign up today and you can choose from two generous welcome bonuses.
With one, you will receive $150 in bonus bets and 50 free spins, just by placing a first bet of $5 or more. The other option to choose from is a 100% first deposit match up to $500, which will also come with 100 free spins.
Betfred became legal in Pennsylvania in December 2020, and since then it has been a favorite among bettors. It has become a major platform in the state due to its wide range of markets and competitive odds.
If you register a new account today, you will be welcomed with a generous offer. To claim it you just need to bet $20 on any sports market with odds of -200, and if it loses, you’ll receive your entire initial stake back in Fred Bets, up to $105.
BetMGM became available in Pennsylvania in December 2020 and has kept its place as a crowd favorite ever since. BetMGM has great markets on the country’s top sports, and is always offering bonuses to new and existing users.
New users at BetMGM have the chance to have their first bet refunded in bonus bets. You can place a bet on any game, and if your bet loses, you will receive your stake (up to $1500) back in bonus bets.
Yes, you read that correctly. All the way up to $1500! To claim this promo, you just have to register a new account, add funds to your wallet, and then make your bet.
What’s more? At BetMGM you’ll be able to access over 30 sports, and have a huge range of markets available per sport. Their football markets are so diverse, making them one of the best NFL betting sites. So whether you are a fan of the NFL, MLB, or soccer, I think that you’ll always find a market that suits your style of play.
The mobile app is another reason why you’ll love BetMGM. It’s perfectly optimized to ensure that you are having the smoothest experience while you are on the go.
25+ sports markets. Generous welcome bonus. Frequent odds-boosts. T&Cs and 21+ apply
BetPARX started out as a casino and racing brand, but has since become a much loved online betting platform in Pennsylvania thanks to their user-friendly interface and competitive odds.
Their current welcome bonus offers new users an insurance on their first bet up to $750. While this isn’t as much as the BetMGM offer, it’s still very generous, and allows new users to try out some of the great odds that are available just for registering a new account. So, what are you waiting for?
With BetRivers being one of the country’s biggest online sports betting sites, it isn’t surprising that they were quick to get into Pennsylvania. It has become one of the most popular platforms by focusing on providing their customers with an exceptional live betting section.
Their extensive live streaming is another awesome perk at BetRivers. Having a diverse range of sports to live stream really complements the live betting nature of the platform, making the experience so much more enjoyable. To see what sports offer live streaming, just look for the green and white button.
The BetRivers welcome offer is also something that catches the eye. If you register a new account today and place a first bet of $10 or more and it loses, you will have your stake matched up to an amount of $500.
You don’t need to include any promo code to get your hands on this one. Simply sign up, deposit your funds and make a wager. BetRivers often changes their promotions, so if you like this one then don’t wait too long to sign up.
The current Caesars Sportsbook welcome offer in Pennsylvania is something I think is worth checking out. If you register a new account, you are able to place a risk free bet up to $1000. This means if your first bet loses, you will have 100% of your wager refunded in bonus bets up to an amount of $1000.
Caesars Sportsbook is also widely known for having an excellent loyalty program that rewards you with loyalty points each time you place a bet. These points can be exchanged for a bunch of different prizes like additional bonuses and tickets to sporting events.
If you like sites that offer streaming, Caesars Sportsbook is a platform I am sure you will love. They are one of the best sportsbooks for football, as they are one of the very few that live stream NFL matches on the mobile app, so you can watch the game and make in-play bets based on what you are seeing in real time.
Wagering Needed (WR): 1x Deposit. T&Cs and 21+ apply
DraftKings is definitely one of the best PA betting sites, and it’s for a good reason. No matter what you are looking for in an online sports betting platform, I am sure that DraftKings will meet your expectations. Famous for their generous bonuses and massive sports selection, you’re always going to find something you like at DraftKings.
You’re going to love the new customer bonus they are offering. Currently at DraftKings, they offer new Pennsylvanian users a deposit bonus up to $1000 DK if you deposit $5 or more. All you have to do is create a new account and make your first deposit.
Another main reason people choose DraftKings is because of their massive sports selection. Not only are there markets for the main leagues like the NFL and MLB, but there’s also a wide range of different markets available in less popular sports like equestrian and even diving.
Multiple betting options. 20+ sports represented. Solid welcome bonus. T&Cs and 21+ apply
ESPN BET was late to the party as it launched in Pennsylvania in December 2023. But, since then it has become very popular thanks to its great odds and generous bonuses.
New users at ESPN BET are able to choose from two different welcome bonuses. The first will see you receive up to $1,000 in bonus bets if your first wager settles as a loss. The other promotion offers new bettors a 200% match on their first deposit, up to $500.
To claim these offers, you won’t need an ESPN BET promo code, just simply sign up and reap the rewards.
Fanatics Sportsbook is another brand that’s only recently made its way into the Pennsylvania sports scene, but since then, it has been making waves. People have been moving over to Fanatics Sportsbook because of their bonuses, their FanCash system, and some great odds on all the best sports.
The welcome bonus at Fanatics Sportsbook really is something. You can receive up to $1000 in bonus bets when you place a $5 wager for the first five days. With this bonus, you can have your stake matched up to $200 each day, meaning that over five days, it can total $1000. You don’t need any promo code to claim this bonus, just opt in during sign up.
If that isn’t enough to convince you that Fanatics Sportsbook is completely legit, then I’ll fill you in on the FanCash system. Every bet you make will get you up to 5% of your wager in FanCash. You can use this to stake on sports and if your stake wins, the winnings are yours.
While I was doing this review, I found it a bit interesting that Fanatics Sportsbook doesn’t have a PC website. It’s currently only available if you download the app.
After doing so, I found that it was about as good as betting apps get. Whether it was cashing out, staking or depositing the app was so intuitive, and it made me forget they didn’t have a desktop website.
High-value welcome bonus. Competitive odds. NFL live streaming. T&Cs and 21+ apply
The FanDuel sportsbook was one of the first to operate online in the Keystone State, as it first went online in July 2019. Since then FanDuel has kept its place as one of the best PA sportsbooks.
One of the reasons why is probably due to the frequency and the generosity of their bonuses. For example, just for registering a new account and placing a $5 wager, you’ll receive $150 in bonus bets. It doesn’t even matter if your bet wins or loses, and you don’t need a code either. Just meet the minimum requirements and you’re good to go.
At FanDuel, there are over 20 sports categories to choose from. I understand this isn’t as many as other sportsbooks, but they make up for it by offering a wide range of markets that are available in the most popular sports. Depending on which game you are betting on, you can also get a livestream straight from the mobile app.
FanDuel is also well known for having a fast and easy payment system that will allow you to deposit and withdraw with all the best payment methods available. Like all good sportsbooks accepting Visa, it never took more than a few hours to receive a withdrawal.
Another great thing about FanDuel is their payout rate. When I looked into it, I found that this sportsbook offers a 96.77% payout rate for the most popular sports like MLB and the NFL.
Wagering Needed (WR): 1x Deposit. T&Cs and 21+ apply
SugarHouse is a sister sportsbook of BetRivers, but is still available to use under the name PlaySugarHouse. Similar to BetRivers, this sportsbook offers a great online betting platforms and several promotions.
Most recently, SugarHouse was offering a welcome bonus for a Second Chance Bet valued at up to $500 for their sportsbook, and up to $250 in bonus money for their online casino depending on the amount of your first deposit.
Betway Sportsbook had a short stretch in the Keystone State, lasting from 2021-2024. It struggled to maintain a profitable market share, which ended up being one of the main reasons it closed down. However, you can still find Betway’s online casino platform active in the state.
After an unsucessful launch into several different US states, including Pennsylvania, Fox Bet Sportsbook stopped accepting wagers as of July 31st 2023. The brand was launched under the Fox brand with some serious firepower behind it, Flutter Entertainment who operate some the biggest sports betting brands in the UK and Ireland, but it wasn’t to be long term.
Churchill Downs Inc launched their TwinSpires sportsbook as one of the first apps in the legalized Arizona market but it didn’t work out. The decision to pull out of PA came when the brand’s CEO cited issues around winning market share which raised questions over potential profitability both short and long term.
Another big name that has come and gone in Pennsylvania was Unibet. Despite their experience in Europe and elsewhere, Unibet Sportsbook pulled out of the PA market in June 2024 after their wider ownership decided to withdraw it’s focus on the North American market.
As sports betting continues to gain popularity throughout Pennsylvania, an increasing number of sportsbooks are offering generous bonuses to both new and existing users.
Here’s a list of top sportsbooks’ bonus codes currently available. You can click on any of the links below to read our full bonus reviews on what the offer is and how to claim it.
Pennsylvania has one of the biggest lists of sportsbooks in the entire country, and that means that the list is constantly changing as new sportsbooks join in. Here are the newest sportsbooks in Pennsylvania that have joined the online sports betting market within the past few years:
| Sportsbook | Launch Date | License Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | July 2024 | Presque Isle Downs & Casino |
| Fanatics | January 2024 | PointsBet Pennsylvania LLC |
| ESPN Bet | December 2023 | Penn Entertainment |
Pennsylvania is one of the states with the most lenient laws in the country when it comes to online sports betting, and as a result, you’ll find that you can bet on pretty much every sport out there.
Here’s a list of some major sports and competitions that you can expect to find at all of the Pennsylvania betting sites:
| Sports | Competitions |
|---|---|
| Professional football | NFL |
| College Football | NCAAF |
| Professional basketball | NBA |
| College Basketball | NCAAB |
| Baseball | MLB |
| Hockey | NHL |
| Soccer | MLS, English Premier League, UEFA Champions League |
| Tennis | ATP Tour, WTA Tour, Grand Slam Tournaments |
| Golf | PGA Tour, European Tour, Majors |
| Boxing | Major Fights, World Championships |
| Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) | UFC, Bellator |
| Motorsports | NASCAR, Formula 1 |
| Horse Racing | All race events state and nationwide |
| eSports | All majors |
In Pennsylvania, there are a few restrictions on what you are able to bet on. These restrictions ensure both the integrity of sports and the protection of their participants, especially when minors are involved.
Most PA sportsbooks have a wide variety of options for deposits and withdrawals. These typically include:
Although I have said that Pennsylvania is one of the more lenient states in the country when it comes to sportsbooks, it still has strong regulations that ensure a legit and fair betting system.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) are the ones who oversee sportsbooks in Pennsylvania and they have a range of roles that start at regulating the different operators, to ensuring consumer protection. In addition, they frequently work with the state government to create licensing processes for all of the different Pennsylvania betting sites.
While legal online sports betting in Pennsylvania has been a welcome addition to the state for many, it’s important to remember the risks that come with any form of gambling.
If you or someone you know may be in need of help, here are some national and local resources available:
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Online sports betting became legal in Pennsylvania back in May 2019 after the US Supreme Court overturned the PASPA Act and SugarHouse created the first online betting site in the state.
There are currently 11 online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania that are fully licensed. These are Bet365, Betfred, BetMGM, BetPARX, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, and SugarHouse.
The legal gambling age in Pennsylvania is 21 years old. This is the case for PA sportsbooks, online casinos and retail casinos.
Determining the best PA sportsbook comes down to individual preference. There are many great options in Pennsylvania. You’ll find that sites like BetMGM, FanDuel, BetRivers, DraftKings, Fanatics Sportsbook, and Caesars Sportsbook have a great range of markets, as well as generous welcome offers.
Yes, there are several retail sportsbooks in Pennsylvania available to visit for in-person gambling. As of May 2025, there are 14 different retail PA sportsbooks in cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and others.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is the official gambling regulator in the state. They oversee all gambling licenses, regulations, taxes and more.
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